Architectural historian on Mere center renovation: Soviet decor will be covered but preserved for future generations
Starting July 1, the large hall of Tallinn's Mere Cultural Center will undergo renovation during which Soviet symbols will be covered but not destroyed, ensuring the possibility of full restoration in the future.
On July 1, a major renovation of the large hall of Tallinn's Mere Cultural Center (formerly the Russian Cultural Center) will begin, sparking significant discussion among experts. Architectural historian Oliver Orro, commenting on plans to cover Soviet symbols and the ceiling painting, expressed professional regret over the disruption of the interior's integrity but supported the compromise solution by the Heritage Protection Department: all totalitarian decor will be preserved, not destroyed.
According to the expert, public attitudes toward these elements may change in the future, and preservation will allow the hall to regain its original historical appearance. "The painting will not be removed. It will be temporarily covered because the current social situation is such that people find it very difficult to look at it. As a historian, I of course regret that this painting will be covered, because it is part of the unified perception of this building and its interior space. But if this painting currently causes fear and increases anxiety in people, then let it remain covered for some time. Of course, it will be necessary to periodically check its condition – to monitor how it is preserved under the covering. It will remain safe there, and perhaps in a hundred years it will no longer be perceived as something frightening. Then it can be uncovered again and simply viewed as part of our history," he said.
As previously reported, last year the Soviet coat of arms was removed from the building's facade and the center was renamed. The main hall's design, with 834 seats, was deemed strongly ideological heritage, which according to management hindered the rental of the premises. Kert Talistu, head of Mere Cultural Center, explained that the Estonian SSR coat of arms above the stage will be dismantled, five-pointed stars will be replaced with new art deco ornaments, and the ceiling painting will be covered.
"If you look at the first balcony, they will start covering the five-pointed stars there. Similarly, above the stage, the previous symbols and the coat of arms with hammer and sickle will be covered. Anchors with five-pointed stars located in the corners of the stage will also be covered. Nothing will be destroyed, nothing will be dismantled, and nothing will be damaged. It was agreed with the Heritage Protection Department that this is solely about covering these elements. This means that if necessary in the future, everything can be fully restored," he explained. The renovated large hall with 834 seats will reopen to the public on July 15. Other parts of the Mere Event Center will remain open to visitors throughout the summer.
